Novak Djokovic Set to Form New Men’s Tennis Union to Protect Interests of the Players

The World No.1 Novak Djokovic has stormed into the final of the Western and Southern Open 2020. Djokovic beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in a dramatic three-hour semifinal. Novak took a medical timeout to address his nagging neck pain issue and looked visibly unfit.

Djokovic and the former top-30 ranked player Vasek Pospisil are trying to set up a union to represent men’s professional tennis players. In a letter emailed to players on Friday, it plans the formation of a Professional Tennis Players Association, abbreviated PTPA.

The aim behind the formation of the association is “to solicit support from players to form an association with a mandate to promote, protect and represent the interests of its players … and protect the future of tennis.”

The letter obtained by The Associated Press explained about men’s tennis professionals not having a representative body, unlike other sports. As per the current system, each player is considered an independent contractor. The proposal plans to build an association of men in the top-500 ranking in singles and top-100 rankings in doubles. A board of trustees with up to nine members elected annually will govern over the PTPA.

“The goal of the PTPA is not to replace the ATP but to provide players with a self-governance structure that is independent of the ATP and is directly responsive to player-members’ needs and concerns,” the email said.

Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil receive support

The 2016 Wimbledon runner Milos Raonic has gone on record to say that he would sign the proposal. Raonic will face Djokovic in the final of Cincinnati on Sunday, after defeating World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Canadian wasn’t happy with the decisions of the governing body over the last six months. He expressed his disappointment over the issue that executives part of the current governing body didn’t help tennis players with financial help. Many lower-ranked players faced financial problems because of tour suspension.

The PTPA envisages looking over multiple areas including tournament rules and regulations, revenue sharing, disciplinary actions, pensions, travel, on-site food and amenities, insurance, and medical care.